The Hive and The Honey Bee. NEW EDITION 29 Chapters, 44 Authors 1057 pages (larger page format – 7 x 10 inches) colour pictures. An amazing source of information on all aspects of the bee and beekeeping. The 1000+ pages with many colour plates in 29 chapters makes this international volume the perfect 2015 Christmas present.

“After reading this book I felt I had been initiated into the ancient feminine mystery of sacred sexuality” Tori Amos, singer/songwriter.

Bee shamanism may well be the most ancient and enigmatic branch of shamanism. It exists throughout the world – wherever in fact the honeybee exists. Its medicinal tools – such as honey, pollen, propolis, and royal jelly – are now in common usage, and even the origins of Chinese acupuncture can be traced back to the ancient practice of applying bee stings to the body’s meridians.

In this authoritative ethnography and spiritual memoir, Simon Buxton, an elder of the Path of Pollen, reveals for the first time the richness of this tradition: its subtle intelligence; its sights, sounds, and smells; and its unique ceremonies, which until now have been known only to initiates. Buxton unknowingly took his first steps on the Path of Pollen at age nine, when a neighbour – an Austrian bee shaman – cured him of a near-fatal bour of encephalitis. This early contact prepared him for his later meeting with an elder of the tradition who took him on as an apprentice. Following an intense initiation that opened him to the mysteries of the hive mind, Buxton learned over the next thirteen years the practices, rituals, and tools of bee shamanism. He experienced the healing and spiritual powers of honey and other bee products, including the “flying ointment” once used by medieval witches, as well as ritual initiations with the female members of the tradition – the Melissae – and the application of magico-sexual “nektars” that promote longevity and ecstacy. ‘The Shamanic Way of the Bee’ is a unique view into the secret wisdom of this age-old tradition.

Simon Buxton is a beekeeper, the British faculty for Dr. Michael Harner’s Foundation for Shamanic Studies, and the founder / director of The Sacred Trust, a UK-based educational organisation dedicated to the teaching of practical shamanism for the modern world. He lives in England and teaches internationally.

David Shannon, a beekeeper for over 15 years, has kept 30-40 colonies in Yorkshire. He has an enthusiastic interest in preparing a variety of hive products for the show in Harrogate (Supreme Champion twice) and the Royal Show at Stoneleigh (winning the most points, a Bronze Medal, and the Brydon Trophy for his mead). Whilst still showing his products, he has turned his attention to judging and gained his Senior Honey Judging Certificate at the National Honey Show in 2014, as well as encouraging and supporting new exhibitors. Additionally, David Shannon has Gained his Husbandry Certificate which allows him to examine beekeepers for their basic assessment. He hopes in the future to study beekeeping at a greater depth with the long term prospect of becoming a Master Beekeeper. With experience on both sides of the show bench, David is able to give practical, sound and detailed advice to those who wish to gain prizes at honey shows and how they can avoid the pitfalls, though often small, which can make the difference between success and failure.

For over 70 years Wedmore’s Manual has been the reference book of choice for answers to all practical beekeeping questions. This updated reprint, with contributions from an eminent panel of contributors is one that all serious beekeeper should have on their bookshelf.

The three generations of the Jefferson family, widely known for their famous production of Heather Honey, base their beekeeping on an annual cycle of activities leading up to the anticipation of two weeks decent August weather. Tony fully describes their methods and this small volume is an investment for those who wish to produce this premium quality honey.

Just as honey bees are found all over the world so are recipes that use their honey. Caribbean jerk, Spanish chicken, French sauces, British biscuits and Turkish cakes all gleam with the sweet stuff. It can take just a spoonful or two of honey to bring its deep flavour to a dish. As a marinade it can enhance meat and poultry, and it works particularly well with nuts and fruits, cream and cheese, and herbs and spices. Along with recipes for delicious honey dishes, Spoonfuls of Honey describes different varieties of honey, explains what to consider when buying and storing, gives tips on its use in your cooking, explores the benefits to your health and the role bees and honey play in nature.

Not so long ago, in a small island nation in the South Pacific, beekeepers produced a most peculiar honey. It was much darker than clover honey everyone put on their toast in the morning, and it tasted very different. In fact the honey was a problem: it was hard to get out of the combs, and even harder for beekeepers to sell. This book chronicles the remarkable ‘rags –to-riches’ story of manuka honey, as seen through the eyes of a New Zealand beekeeping specialist who watched it unfold from the very beginning.

This book takes us from the beginning of time to the present day to show the ways in which bees and beekeeping, honey and wax, are part of the culture, mythology, theology and folklore of every people in the world. Luke Dixon is a beekeeper during the summer and a theatre director during the winter. He is the resident beekeeper of London’s Natural History Museum and the author of ‘Keeping Bees in Towns and Cities’.